FESTIVAL SEASON 2017: MILKY CHANCE @ AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

If you’ve ever danced to “Stolen Dance” or wondered why you somehow innately know all the words to “Flashed Drunk Mind,” you too understand the rhythmic chill that comes standard in all Milky Chance songs. The German folk (or shall we say “folktronica”) band has made a name for themselves with chart-topping hits from their first album Sadnecessary, and are now in the midst of their US headlining tour for their sophomore album.

We caught up with vocalist/guitarist Clemens Rehbein and DJ/producer Philipp Dausch during weekend two of Austin City Limits to talk about their sophomore album Blossom, the perks of being genreless,and the evolution of sound that comes with experience.

How are you both doing, and how does it feel to be back for weekend two?

Clemens Rehbein: Almost the same.

Really? I heard it was a lot hotter last week.

Phillip: Except the weather. It’s good, more chill.

I kind of like weekend two of Austin City Limits, I feel like people are a lot more relaxed.

Clemens: Today is pretty chill. I guess the weather takes an influence.

It does, it has an influence. So you’ve been together since 11th grade. As you move through different album campaigns, how do you think age plays into the evolution of your sound?

Clemens: I would say it’s more experience than age. I would say it’s the bigger difference you know? What you experience in that amount of time, the past years, more than now you’re a few years older. That’s how we grow, it influences the way we are, the way we do music.

Speaking of experience, now that you’re touring Blossom live compared to Sadnecessary, are there any differences in the crowd reaction?

Clemens: I would say it’s good, I mean we are very happy. Last weekend we had a huge crowd there were a lot of people singing all the new songs.

Which new songs seem to be resonating with fans when played live?

Clemens: Of course the songs we released first from the album, like Blossom and Cocoon are doing good. Yeah, it’s been pretty nice, this is the first leg of our album tour in the US, so we’ve had a lot of headline shows in between festivals, it’s good.

What do you prefer, the headlining shows where you have your fans showing up, or these festival shows where you have a chance to get in front of fans who haven’t seen you before?

It’s both very exciting. Sometimes it’s best to play outside, open air. Being part of a festival always feels really good. People are gathering together celebrating life and music, that feels good.

I know people have a hard time pinning you into one genre. If you could make up your own genre that you could call yourselves what would that be?

Clemens: Well, we actually really like that people can’t do that, so we won’t start it. But there is a genre made up that people call it, “folktronica” and I think that’s cool – that’s a cool genre.

The world has been crazy lately. What part do you think music plays or specifically which part would you like your music to play in times of tension and unease?

Clemens: Well, I mean, we’re definitely not a very political band. We just try to focus on the good news, and we try to focus on sharing and caring. I think music is very conducive to being together, and that’s why we try to spend that time responsibly and live our lives in a responsible way and to take care of each other. That’s all that we can do.